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Meet the SUPC Board
An interview with vice-chair, Amy Michael
How long have you lived in Summit-U?
Eighteen years - and I’ve seen a lot of positive changes around the neighborhood – especially on Selby from Lexington to John Ireland. The crime rate has gone down and new businesses have moved in.
When I first moved here I would say, “I live at Selby-Dale” and people didn’t want to come here. My kids have grown up playing in MLK Park. When they were little, the park’s reputation wasn’t good – there wasn’t trouble in the park – it was just the reputation. The reputation of the neighborhood has gotten so much better and the park continues to be important to our community.
Some things haven’t changed over time. I sometimes feel that, because there is so much pride in the neighborhood –it can be hard to get new ideas moving. It’s not that we don’t progress – we do. The community is just very careful about what development happens and changes are made.
I think part of the beauty of this neighborhood is all of the variety in cultures, businesses, etc. and I hope we can maintain that over time.Why did you want to be on the Board?
I was on the Board about 15 years ago, left for a while, and then came back about 5 years ago. There are always things going on in our community and I know I can’t complain if I don’t get involved. So, I want to do my part. I have great pride in this neighborhood; I feel very strongly about keeping it the best it can be. I feel like being on the Board is one way I can give to the community. I hope more people will get involved with SUPC.What do you want to do for SUPC and your community?
I work in the community for the Summit-University Living At Home (SULAH) block nurse program. My passion is around making our neighborhood senior-friendly. We do a lot to make it a kid-friendly community – but we need to pay attention to the seniors in order to complete the circle.There are so many unseen seniors in our community – they are in their homes and can’t easily get out. I’d like to see our community do a better job of giving them the things they need – good housing, good food, transportation, etc. There are so many ways people can help. As part of this, we need to teach our children how to care for the older generation. I really like to see neighbors helping neighbors – of any age. If you see someone who needs help shoveling, get out there and grab a shovel.
What do you do when you are not at SUPC?
I have a 16 year-old son, 13 year-old daughter an almost 12 year-old daughter and a wonderful husband, so family time is important. Recently I’ve been playing a lot of tennis at the Martin Luther King Center tennis courts. I like to exercise, read and get together with friends.My work is also very important to me. We serve seniors in both Summit-U and Frogtown at SULAH. Helping them get the services they may need so they can be independent and safe in their own homes. A highlight this summer included, delivering fresh vegetables to our clients - donated by Afro-Eco – a community farm, and State Fair blue ribbon plums grown right here in Frogtown by a very active volunteer. We did that for 8 weeks and served about 42 of our clients. This was really rewarding.
How can we all best strengthen our community?
It’s as simple as starting to get to know each other better - create some sort of avenue for meeting people who are different from us. I have learned in my job and life experience that once you get to know someone your preconceived notions about them change and sharing a sidewalk, street, and neighborhood is not all that difficult.If I were running for President, I would:
I’m not sure what I would do. I wouldn’t want to be President. If I had to choose one thing, it would be to promote a better more affordable health care system for everyone.Closing
I think this is a phenomenally great community. I would like to see all the different factions working together better. We can get a lot done that way.
One last thought - I’d like there to be a place in the community where everybody feels welcome and can find something to interest them. Martin Luther King Center is a wonderful recreation facility, if the programs there could be expanded to include more daytime adult and intergenerational activities it would really enhance Summit University.
Summit-University Planning Council :: 627 Selby Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104
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